Author’s Notes: This piece takes place after the original Soul Calibur, set several days after they arrive back home in Korea. Hwang struggles with his personal feelings for Mina. Once again I’m using their original name spelling before Soul Calibur III came out. There is also some Korean words and phrases spoken, but should be easy to understand.

Disclaimer: Hwang, Mina, Soul Calibur is a trademark of Namco.

The sun was shining brightly in the cloudless blue sky, spreading its warmth throughout the land. Hwang walked along the secluded beach, enjoying the afternoon. He had spent the whole morning in meetings with his superior Admiral Yi Sun-Shin, discussing what happened on his travels overseas and the impending war with Japan. Dressed in his black naval uniform, he never looked more handsome…or serious. With the war almost eminent, the tranquility and peace he knew now would soon vanish, only leaving despair and fear in its destructive path. The thought of losing his beloved people to bloodshed and violence made him shudder with revulsion. Korea needs to be ready, Hwang thought, so our future generations can be safe to live and prosper, to be free. I have to protect everybody… especially Mina, my Mina…

Hwang flinched. That girl could cause him such turmoil. He could not stop thinking about her, no matter how hard he tried, which only aggravated him even more. It did not matter what he was doing or how faraway he was, his mind would always come back to Mina – his Mina. He flinched again, cursing under his breath. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, trying to clear his mind… but instead saw images of the lovely minx, smiling radiantly, taunting him, teasing him, tempting him…

Hwang opened his eyes, completely irritated. He quickened his pace, hoping that the blood pumping in his veins would distract him from her. Then, as if he had wished her into life, there she was, several feet away, sitting on a rock, watching the waves crash onto the shore.

Hwang blinked, wondering if she was a mirage. But there she was, dressed in her pink and crimson hanbok, looking more ravishing than ever. Her long hair was in a braid, hanging over her shoulder, making her look incredibly sweet and demure, causing his pulse to quicken. He could not help but stare, entranced by her beauty. He suddenly felt a deep ache in his heart. It hurt just to look at her. She was so oblivious to the pain she caused him, enticing him like that. He wanted to turn around and walk away, but something compelled him to stay, to bask in her glorious presence, as if she willed him here. He slowly, purposefully… walks towards her, completely enraptured.